PAULMAN!!!! Surgery on the YTPP was a SUCCESS! Boiling water worked like a CHARM!!!! And despite having a few Blue Moons with an Orange (Ok...that's girly and I fully admit that)...I was able to wield an exacto knife and score the pallets to size. I had a staple gun, so put in the finishing touches, and now am customizing the grip as it's just about dry.

THANK YOU!!!!!

Wooo hooo...a girl who can work power tools Go me!

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Congrats, Peeps.

Made me think of a quote (on a magnet) a good friend sent me in one of my darkest hours (of being a new mom of two tiny ones).

Maya Angelou said:

A woman should have a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra. [And] A Woman should have a friend who always makes her laugh and a friend who lets her cry.

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I'm a fan of power tools myself and there's a full set of screwdrivers and socket wrenches (metric and std) in my laundry room. I don't (yet) have command of the garage. Just wait'll we get that Man Cave built out back!

I need my racket restrung but I've been playing too much lately to even want to give one of them up. One of these days, I might get into stringing it myself. I can see me and my engineering DNA coming to life.

Gotta a big win today. But dang if I didn't almost fritter it away. Up 5*-2 in the first set...and lost it in a TB. Got up a break quickly in the second, but then lost it down the stretch. At 5*-5, 0-30...I pull it out with all our teammates watching since we were last on. Win my service game, break her to win the set. Win the 3rd set TB 10-3 with an eat-your-heart-out Johnny Mac lookalike stab BH drop volley winner at 2-all. Sucked all the wind out of her game.

Blue moon with an orange is girly?!? But...what if it was a guy that introduced you to it? Hmmmm....

Great job AQ! I had a singles match this morning against a gal that is becoming my arch nemesisisisissss...played her twice last year with her barely edging me out both times. And today made three...lost first set 6-4 and was up 5-4 when time ran out, so she won on games 10-9. Freaking hate timed matches!!!!

Well, the comment of "girly" was made once when I was drinking a Blue Moon. I actually had a bartender tell me once that sailors started putting citrus in beer to avoid scurvy. Don't know if that's true.

AQ -- that quote is awesome!

I played in a local doubles league rec yesterday(I got talked into it..doubles really isn't my choice) and it was a comedy of errors...the original courts at which we were scheduled to play were occupied by the high school tennis team...they had to reschedule their matches because of all the rain...so then the group of us went to a middle school...where, it was little league baseball opening day. And I do mean little league. the courts were situated far too close to the baseball fields...i'm talking no separation at all. So, loud speakers blaring, kids screaming...oh, and road construction and jack hammering in the background. Seemed like a bad movie...

Needless to say for the first time playing outside this season, it was AWFUL. I went to serve and all i could see were kids running back and forth. People were leaning against the court fences...UGH. I have never had to play in a situation like that but was able to do ok...I just was thrown way off.

HW -- so I hit with the YTPP last night...and, took your advice having the tension strung at 57, I didn't feel like I lost any power and my serve was still dead on. I consider my serve one of my bigger shots and I was afraid I'd lose some of the pop I have with the PDRGT...but it seemed to be right there. A different, softer feel to it, but I can see using both. Plus with the speed pallets the grip is more like my babs then rectangular like the Head Racquets...so the only difference that I could perceive was that it had more flex. Still had power and still had control.

I would have figured you would lose some pop from a PDR, and gain a bit of control. But maybe you were extra pumped up from the success of the mod

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Yeah, I didn't feel like I lost a lot of pop..which was my concern. But when I demo'd the YTPP (at a wrong grip size), I felt pretty confident that I could keep the power or even sacrifice a wee bit of it for more control. I even took a lesson/hitting session with a pro when I demo'd the YTPP and was able to hit with him and just keep up fine, so I knew that the racquet wouldn't be a waste. I also wanted a frame with more flex for variety purposes. For a while a few years ago I played with a Wilson KSixOne 95...when I first started getting back into tennis..and it was ok...but really felt like the PDRGT was the one.

I guess if I had to compare..the PDRGT is a bit crisper (as it should be)...I still think I'll play with both. I even put the Babolat Syntec grip on the YTPP because that's the grip I use with the PDRGT, so the racquet has a very similar feel in terms of grip.

Yeah, I didn't feel like I lost a lot of pop..which was my concern. But when I demo'd the YTPP (at a wrong grip size), I felt pretty confident that I could keep the power or even sacrifice a wee bit of it for more control. I even took a lesson/hitting session with a pro when I demo'd the YTPP and was able to hit with him and just keep up fine, so I knew that the racquet wouldn't be a waste. I also wanted a frame with more flex for variety purposes. For a while a few years ago I played with a Wilson KSixOne 95...when I first started getting back into tennis..and it was ok...but really felt like the PDRGT was the one.

I guess if I had to compare..the PDRGT is a bit crisper (as it should be)...I still think I'll play with both. I even put the Babolat Syntec grip on the YTPP because that's the grip I use with the PDRGT, so the racquet has a very similar feel in terms of grip.

And well, maybe i just get all excited about shiny new racquets.

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p.s. I wouldn't have bought the YTPP if PaulMan hadn't told me that I could change out the grips. Playing with a 2/8 grip size just doesn't feel right to me.

Let me know if you're interested & I'll call you when they arrive. And no, I'm not turning in my C10 Pros just yet. Just window shopping...for now...

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The Melbourne is a sweet looking frame and sweet spec-sounding frame. Plus those cap-like grommets look nice! I'd def like to hit that one.

The Solinco looks sweet too with that full chrome paint. Be curious how that one hits as well.

The 10 MP line is a nice line of frames, but I don't think they are as solid as the C10 Classics. I'm basing that on the Pb 10 MP though, so maybe Organix is better.

But yeah let me know when they come in, maybe we could meet in C-ville like we always planned. I have been cleaning house with my frame stash, but I do have some Aero Storms coming in that I am excited about. I'm hoping it is a good cross between Donnays and APD's, but we shall see.

Bpeeps -- hit me up if you want a YTPP in 3/8 grip. tennismonkey10s@gmail dot com. tried to like it. wanna love it. just can't find a groove with it. think i sold my other one - waiting for him to paypal.

anyone know where i can demo a exo3 tour. can't find one locally to demo. i guess i can go the TW route.

Bpeeps -- hit me up if you want a YTPP in 3/8 grip. tennismonkey10s@gmail dot com. tried to like it. wanna love it. just can't find a groove with it. think i sold my other one - waiting for him to paypal.

anyone know where i can demo a exo3 tour. can't find one locally to demo. i guess i can go the TW route.

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I thought Downs_Chris had one a few weeks ago. don't know if he bought or demoed.

But yeah let me know when they come in, maybe we could meet in C-ville like we always planned. I have been cleaning house with my frame stash, but I do have some Aero Storms coming in that I am excited about. I'm hoping it is a good cross between Donnays and APD's, but we shall see.

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Sounds good. I'll let you know when they arrive & we'll work out a day/time. I'd like to try the Areo Storms as well.

PAULMAN!!!! Surgery on the YTPP was a SUCCESS! Boiling water worked like a CHARM!!!! And despite having a few Blue Moons with an Orange (Ok...that's girly and I fully admit that)...I was able to wield an exacto knife and score the pallets to size. I had a staple gun, so put in the finishing touches, and now am customizing the grip as it's just about dry.

THANK YOU!!!!!

Wooo hooo...a girl who can work power tools Go me!

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BPeeps, sorry for coming in so late. Been chilling and haven't checked in for (gasp!) 18 hours!

In any case, congrats and major kudos to you for doing the grip pallet change perfectly your very first time! You can't even say that about some so called "Master Racquet Technician"s. Honest. I've seen many admit they've cracked or broken their first couple pallet grip changes... :shock:

Glad everything is working out perfect for your game so far as well! Just awesome work!

BPeeps, sorry for coming in so late. Been chilling and haven't checked in for (gasp!) 18 hours!

In any case, congrats and major kudos to you for doing the grip pallet change perfectly your very first time! You can't even say that about some so called "Master Racquet Technician"s. Honest. I've seen many admit they've cracked or broken their first couple pallet grip changes... :shock:

Glad everything is working out perfect for your game so far as well! Just awesome work!

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Aww, thanks. The part I was most worried about was scoring the new pallets to size. I was really concerned that I'd break it too much and then end up ruining the whole thing....but instead they broke cleanly. I guess I was just patient and took my time.

If I had known it was so delicate an operation, I would've ordered more than 1 pallet as a backup..but glad I didn't need it.

Aww, thanks. The part I was most worried about was scoring the new pallets to size. I was really concerned that I'd break it too much and then end up ruining the whole thing....but instead they broke cleanly. I guess I was just patient and took my time.

If I had known it was so delicate an operation, I would've ordered more than 1 pallet as a backup..but glad I didn't need it.

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p.s. actually the hardest part was getting the staples off the butt cap (there I said it)....but with the water method...the pallets came off cleanly. Much better alternative than risking losing a finger or three.

Aww, thanks. The part I was most worried about was scoring the new pallets to size. I was really concerned that I'd break it too much and then end up ruining the whole thing....but instead they broke cleanly. I guess I was just patient and took my time.

If I had known it was so delicate an operation, I would've ordered more than 1 pallet as a backup..but glad I didn't need it.

p.s. actually the hardest part was getting the staples off the butt cap (there I said it)....but with the water method...the pallets came off cleanly. Much better alternative than risking losing a finger or three.

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It's definitely much more delicate if you didn't do the hot water method. When you score/cut to trim the pallet, as long as you don't break it off way too short, you should be fine. So when you're attaching the butt cap, it allows some leeway in terms of how flush it is to the pallet grip end. I just use the serrated knife tool on my Swiss Army Knife and it cuts the pallets perfectly.

You are right that with pliers or even screwdrivers, the staples are pretty tough to come out as they are really small in width. Using a sharp point awl is perfect for it. Just drive the sharp point a little into the plastic under the staple and it'll be easy to pry them up. But it looks like you did the surgery just damn fine!

bpeeps -- you have proven yourself to be more man than me. not a hard feat mind you. but seeing as how you can perform tennis racquet surgery with power tools and then go and play sets with the hefty ytpp -- i have to give up my mancard.

c downs -- we still on for 12:30? i wanna begin the yt ig speed era. even though i loathe playing a racquet endorsed by the djoker. but it's a sexy stick.

It's definitely much more delicate if you didn't do the hot water method. When you score/cut to trim the pallet, as long as you don't break it off way too short, you should be fine. So when you're attaching the butt cap, it allows some leeway in terms of how flush it is to the pallet grip end. I just use the serrated knife tool on my Swiss Army Knife and it cuts the pallets perfectly.

You are right that with pliers or even screwdrivers, the staples are pretty tough to come out as they are really small in width. Using a sharp point awl is perfect for it. Just drive the sharp point a little into the plastic under the staple and it'll be easy to pry them up. But it looks like you did the surgery just damn fine!

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I actually used the pallet I removed as a template while scoring the new one. I put it over top the new one and just had it as a guide, while scoring. I was patient and got it pretty well scored before breaking it off. That way I was able to get the length of the new pallet just right

As for the staples..I had a baby screwdriver to loosen the staple..then got the rest of it with small needle-nosed pliers.

bpeeps -- you have proven yourself to be more man than me. not a hard feat mind you. but seeing as how you can perform tennis racquet surgery with power tools and then go and play sets with the hefty ytpp -- i have to give up my mancard.

c downs -- we still on for 12:30? i wanna begin the yt ig speed era. even though i loathe playing a racquet endorsed by the djoker. but it's a sexy stick.

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Awww, you're so sweet Keep in mind it was really all because I wanted a racquet with a pretty paint job.

I like my babs, but I'm also a self admitted racquet 'ho.

Thinking of stringing it at around 55-57lbs with RPM Blast (but no, I can't string a racquet by myself). Anyone like those strings?

agreed. the ytpp has a great paintjob. that's the kind of red that's classy. figure ferrari red is too hey look at me i'm italian and i gotta a spicey meatballa. but the ytpp red is more deep and grown up. like an aston martin.

If only it was .5 inch longer and .5oz heavier. It may be worthy of replacing my orignal 325's. But I saw some dude one these boards actually put CAP grommets on a 325. I might actually try to do that.

I dont know if sailors would put the orange in a beer. They would have probably just eaten the orange. Fruit was a commodity on a ship. Scurvy would happen when they didnt have any fruit and lacked vitamin C.

I wish I could go back in time and sell all those guys flintstone vitamins

downs -- i guess the kai rabert isn't just thai chicken with basil. but i can't figure out what else they are putting in it. we need to bribe one of the cooks there. i bet they would just tell us if we asked -- it can't be a trade secret or anything. it's not like the colonel's secret recipe.

downs -- i guess the kai rabert isn't just thai chicken with basil. but i can't figure out what else they are putting in it. we need to bribe one of the cooks there. i bet they would just tell us if we asked -- it can't be a trade secret or anything. it's not like the colonel's secret recipe.

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we definitely need some people on this...i think PaulMan was on the case to figure it out...but yeah, i need this recipe, STAT!